I take levothyroxine every morning.
le-vo-ti-rok-SI-na — six syllables, stress on fifth. A long but internationally recognisable name.
Inform any doctor of thyroid hormone therapy. Important for dosage interactions and testing interpretation.
'Levotiroxina' = levothyroxine (L-T4) — thyroid hormone replacement for hypothyroidism. Italian brand: 'Eutirox' or 'Tirosint'. Must be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before food, with water only. Interactions: calcium, iron, and antacids reduce absorption — take separately. TSH monitoring every 6-12 months.
Sto aumentando la dose di eutirox. Ho il TSH alto.
I am increasing the eutirox dose. My TSH is high.
TSH above reference range = under-treated hypothyroidism — dose adjustment needed
Devo fare il TSH a digiuno?
Do I need to have the TSH done fasting?
TSH testing: ideally same time of day, before taking medication — not necessarily fasting
La levotiroxina interagisce con qualche farmaco?
Does levothyroxine interact with any medication?
Many interactions: calcium carbonate, ferrous sulphate, PPI — take 2-4 hours apart
Hypothyroidism ('ipotiroidismo') affects about 5% of Italian women and 2% of Italian men. Italy historically had endemic goitre ('gozzo') due to iodine deficiency — 'gozzo da iodio' was common in mountain areas before iodised salt introduction. The Italian Society of Endocrinology ('SIE') recommends TSH screening for women over 60 and for patients with symptoms. 'Tiroidite di Hashimoto' (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in Italy.